: the action or process of changing from an optically active compound into a racemic compound or mixture

racemize

2 of 2

verb

ra·​ce·​mize rā-ˈsē-ˌmīz How to pronounce racemize (audio)
rə-;
ˈra-sə-
-ed/-ing/-s

transitive verb

: to subject to racemization

intransitive verb

: to undergo racemization

Examples of racemization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Even amino acid racemization, scorned for the last 15 years, is making a comeback, thanks to the discovery that the technique, unreliable when applied to porous bone, is quite accurate when used on hard ostrich eggshells. — James Shreeve, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Verb

International Scientific Vocabulary racemic + -ize

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of racemization was in 1895

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Racemization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racemization. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Medical Definition

racemization

noun
ra·​ce·​mi·​za·​tion
: the action or process of changing from an optically active compound into a racemic compound or mixture
racemize verb
racemized also British racemised; racemizing also British racemising

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